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September 12, 2005

AHIMA Convention Preview
By Mervat Abdelhak, PhD, RHIA
For The Record
Vol. 17 No. 19 P. 8

What does the future hold for those in the HIM profession? As you already know, HIM is constantly evolving. Once a profession with an emphasis on paper medical records, HIM has moved to playing a key role in ensuring the availability of health information to facilitate real-time healthcare delivery and critical health-related decision making. Today, the profession holds a unique position to influence implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) and shape the ways health information is used to deliver quality healthcare.

To continue to be vital players in ensuring quality healthcare through quality information, HIM professionals must continue to make the commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. Next month, more than 4,000 HIM professionals are making such a commitment by acquiring new knowledge and skills at the AHIMA’s 77th Convention and Exhibit being held October 15 to 20 in San Diego.

This year’s conference will cover topics such as the transition to the EHR, privacy and security, and ICD-10. The meeting provides an opportunity for HIM professionals to gain information and ideas about these issues and more from some of the industry’s most authoritative voices. From educational sessions to exploring the exhibit hall to networking with a unique gathering of peers, attendees will walk away with innovative ideas and information to bring back to their professional lives. Below are some of the highlights of this year’s convention.

General Sessions
At this year’s general sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from respected speakers as well as distinguished leaders. This year’s speakers include:

• David J. Brailer, MD, PhD, National Health Information Technology Coordinator, Health and Human Services;

• Jill Callahan-Dennis, JD, RHIA, Health Risk Advantage;

• Carol Diamond, MD, MPH, the Markle Foundation;

• Mark Frisse, MD, MBA, MSc, Vanderbilt University;

• Janlori Goldman, the Health Privacy Project;

• Stedman Graham, S. Graham & Associates;

• Capt Michael D. Abrashoff, author;

• Paul Tang, MD, Palo Alto Medical Foundation;

• Erik Wahl, The Wahl Group; and

• Scott Wallace, National Alliance for Health Information Technology.

Preconvention and Postconvention Workshops
The preconvention and postconvention workshops provide hands-on participation and prepare attendees to confront challenges and concerns in the workplace. Workshops will cover topics such as process redesign during EHR implementation, transitioning to e-HIM, creating your own documentation improvement program, and everything you need to know about the personal health record. Attendees will also be able to customize their workshops by sending questions ahead of time for inclusion in the session.

Educational Tracks
Attendees can personalize their knowledge and create their own schedule of educational sessions. The AHIMA’s 30 education tracks provide real-life examples of results-oriented ideas or processes. Each day education tracks change to reflect job title, topic area, or healthcare setting. Additionally, the AHIMA has added a new three-level knowledge ranking system to help attendees identify the appropriate level of session to attend.

Institutes
Institutes are full-day sessions geared toward taking skills to the next level as you share ideas and gain knowledge from session leaders and colleagues. The institutes will focus on topics such as clinical vocabulary mapping methods, IT project management, the EHR in the physician office, and healthcare privacy.

Super Sunday Sessions
The newly created sessions are focused on your career. Free of charge for registered convention attendees, the sessions are packed with useful information to maximize your professional potential. Planned topics include “How to Get a Clean Bill of Health for Your Communication Skills” and “Playing Your Heart Out at the Game of Life.”

Student Academy
On Sunday, October 16, the AHIMA will offer free special sessions targeted specifically at registered student members. Topics will include career choices, employer expectations of new graduates, and presentation skills.

Exhibit Hall
More than 200 companies will display the most recent HIM products, services, and technologies at this year’s exhibit hall, including the following:

• information systems and software;

• coding tools and resources;

• consulting services and outsourcing;

• EHRs;

• privacy; and

• transcription.

The exhibit hall is open Monday through Wednesday (October 17 to 19). There will also be dedicated exhibit hall hours on each day. This means there are no other sessions going on during this time so attendees can maximize convention time.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Credentialed AHIMA members can earn CEUs on an hour-by-hour basis with the maximum number per day listed below.

• Monday, October 17: 6 CEUs

• Tuesday, October 18: 7 CEUs

• Wednesday, October 19: 5.5 CEUs

Attendees can also earn additional CEUs by attending special meetings, mini-courses, educational tours, Product World demonstrations, and institutes on Saturday, Sunday, and Thursday.

The AHIMA’s 77th Convention and Exhibit will be held at the San Diego Convention Center. For more information about convention activities, registration forms, and discounted rates on hotel and travel, visit www.ahima.org/convention or call 312-233-1100.

This is an exciting time for the HIM profession. The healthcare industry needs a competent HIM workforce prepared to successfully manage health records, data, and information in an increasingly electronic environment. The HIM profession must continuously transform their knowledge, skills, and abilities to keep pace.

— Mervat Abdelhak, PhD, RHIA, is president of the AHIMA.

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